Get to know Lulu Louise, founder and CEO of Lulu's Chocolate.

Lulu's journey began in 2006 when she realized she 1. needed to cut sugar and 2. fell in love with cacao. All Lulu's chocolate is "100% wild-harvested, heirloom Arriba from Ecuador," and the company is dedicated to cultivating a positive relationship with suppliers.

We caught up with Lulu to learn more about her personal journey and her business.

1. What is the story of how Lulu's came to be?

It's a love story.  I fell deeply in love...life-changing love....with a cacao tree! I had given up chocolate due to not wanting to consume sugar or dairy. Once I realized that chocolate comes from the cacao tree, I knew it was the best food in the world and set out to make a version that honored its true magic, from tree to table. So my chocolate journey began in 2006 and I launched my non-infused chocolate company, Lulu's Chocolate, in December of that year. I had long been a cannabis advocate, but adding cannabis to my chocolate didn't "officially" began until 2016 when we launched our Hemp CBD Chocolate. We then went on to launch Lulu's Botanicals, our THC chocolate offerings, in 2017.

2. What is your mission?

Our chocolate mission is to bridge the gap between gourmet and truly healthy.  Our cannabis mission is to help people understand the true healing nature of this incredible plant medicine, thus breaking the stigma around it.  Health and pleasure without compromise.  

3. Can you tell us about some of your products? What are the all-time favorites and what makes your spin on cannabis products unique?

All of our cannabis products (besides the Hemp CBD) have a 1:1 ratio of THC:CBD.  We also add a plentitude of steam distilled, live cannabis terpenes. We believe that these essential oils of the cannabis plant have incredible healing powers of their own, and we've only just yet scratched the surface of what is possible with them.  Many of our products marry botanical herbs with cannabis, which takes them to a whole new level.  Our master herbalist has 45 years of experience in botany and has especially studied the synergy of specific herbal combinations with cannabis. My all-time favorite product we make is called RELAX. It has a very powerful anti-inflammatory blend of adaptogenic herbs. It calms your mind and spirt while creating full body relaxation. I've actually received three reports of people getting off of opioids with this formula. It helps me sleep like nothing else. For that, I'm forever grateful.  

4. What's the biggest challenge of working in the cannabis space and the biggest reward?

The biggest challenge is the ever-changing regulations and trying to navigate running a business that is federally illegal.  But I wouldn't trade it for anything. The excitement of being on the front lines of history in the making is worth it. We are seeing the end of a huge prohibition in our lifetime. I feel that I have a hand in liberating this beautiful plant spirit...that is truly rewarding.  

5. Do you have any advice for any fellow cannapreneurs?

It's our job to break the stigma and the best way to do that is by example. We need to have patience with people...the idea of "Reefer Madness" is deeply ingrained in many and not leaving anytime soon. Have compassion, educate every chance you get and keep doing what you do. If you're working with Mary Jane, chances are that she called you for this mission and knows you are ready.